Flexible tile roofing



June 22 1926, 1,589,785

J. F. BOBBETT FLEXIBLE TILE ROOFING 'Fiied April 1, 1925 J Z'IB055iii'.

Patented June 22, 1926.

UNITED STATES JAMES FRANK BOBBITT, OF GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI.

FLEXIBLE TILE ROOFING.

Application filed April 1, 1925.

The object of this invention is to provide improved means for securing and reinforcing flexible tile, as it is laid on a roof or otherwise.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two t le members showing the metal stifl'ening strlp, and prongs extending through the flexible tiles.

Fig. 2 illustrates a metal stiffening member having a prong adapted to fasten two tiles together.

Fig. 3 is an end view of one of the stiffen.- ing members showing the prongs 1n bent relation.

Fig. 4-v illustrates a metal stiffening memher having prongs for attaching or connecting the stiffening member to the tile.

The numeral 1 illustrates a flexible roofing tile, while 2 designates a stiffening member, preferably of metal and shaped to conform with the design of the tile. The scope of this invention is not, however, limited to any one form or shape of tile, although, commonly, they are of an arched conformation. At approximately the tremities of the stiffening member 2 are located metal prongs 5 and 6, usually out out and bent up from the stiffening members themselves as at 3 and 4, although the scope of this invention includes any suitable form of connecting or attaching means for tiles 1 and metal stiffening strips 2.

In the practice of this invention the tile 1, assumed of flexible material and of ached construction as disclosed in Fig. 1, is suitably supplied with a metal stiffening member 2, preferably arranged on the inside of the tile, and having prongs 5, usually located at the extremities of the metal strip 2, for the purpose of penetrating the strip 2, as shown in Fig. 2, may be adapted to extend through and fasten together by bending over the said prong, the flexible material of two overlapping tile members, as clearly disclosed in Fig. 1, thereby eflectively securing the roofing tiles in place, at

Serial No. 19,917.

the same time assuring an. efficient stiffen. ing means for the flexible material of which the tiles may be composed. One metal stif fening member may have fastening means for tile and strip as shown in Fig. 4 while another may have fastening means for both strip and overlapping tile as disclosed in Fig. 2.

In operation this invention functions to stiffen flexible roofing or other material with a metal band or wire thereby making it possible to form the flexible material into various shapes, preferably that of roofing tile or ridge and hip row, and enables the material to retain its shape by securing the metal bands or wire to the said roofing. These metal bands may be used as stiflening means to hold the flexible roofing or other suitable material to any shape desired, preferably that of roofing tile and fitting commonly used in connection with the ap plication of tiling to roofs. The metal stiffening means may be fastened either on the under or top side of the tile member or between the layers or plies of the material. The stiffening means is secured or anchored to the flexible material by prongs preferably punched from the metal, the prongs being short or long and ada ted to be clinched or bradded through t e material. The longer prongs are adapted to puncture the material and protrude on the top side of the lower tile in order to receive and engage the upper or over-lapping tile meme ber in order to hold the member in place.

What I claim is:

In flexible roofing tiling, a metal stiffening member, and means for connecting the flexible tile and metal stiffening together, consisting of long and short prongs punched from the metal, the short prongs being adapted to secure the stiffening member in position, and the long prongs protruding through the side edge of the lower tile thereby receiving and clinching the upper or overlapping tile member firmly in place.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES FRANK BOBBITT. 

